Understanding where your energy and attention go is a critical first step in setting goals that truly matter. One practical tool to help with this is the Wheel of Life. This simple framework provides a clear snapshot of your satisfaction across key areas of life, helping you focus on what matters most.
The Wheel of Life breaks your life into distinct domains, such as:
- Finance
- Personal Growth
- Career
- Health & Fitness
- Family
- Friends & Relationships
- Recreation
- Spirituality
If some areas don’t resonate with you, you can customise the wheel to reflect what’s meaningful in your life.
How to use the Wheel of Life
- Rate your satisfaction: Using a scale of 1–10, rate how satisfied you feel in each area of your life. A score of 1 means you’re not satisfied at all, while 10 indicates complete satisfaction.
- Visualise your wheel: Colour in the sections up to the level you scored to form an inner wheel. This makes it easy to see where your life feels balanced and where attention is needed.
- Rank your priorities: Assign a priority or importance rating to each area. This helps you focus on the domains that matter most to you.
- Identify opportunities: Look at your wheel and ask yourself: Which areas are thriving? Which could be improved? What small, realistic actions could help raise your satisfaction in those areas?
Why does this matter for goal setting?
The Wheel of Life is more than just a visual exercise — it’s a guide to setting aligned and actionable goals. By seeing your life laid out this way, you can:
- Pinpoint areas that need attention or growth
- Ensure your goals reflect your values and priorities
- Identify “quick wins” that improve multiple areas at once
- Recognise habits or activities that support overall wellbeing
For example, if your Health & Fitness score is low, setting a goal to take daily walks or try a new fitness class could not only improve your physical health but also positively affect energy levels, mood, and focus at work.
Bringing it all together
Used alongside other goal-setting frameworks, the Wheel of Life provides a clear roadmap for creating meaningful, achievable goals. It helps you focus on what you can influence, set priorities aligned with your values, and maintain balance in your life. Fill it in, keep it to hand and revisit it regularly to make sure you are focusing your time and energy in the right places!